How many of you still remember the very first flight you took ever? I think all of us whether you fly a Windlass 503 that barely passes its annual ATF to big expensive business jets, weekend warrior, avid flyer, commercial pilot or even the 5 hour per year pilot just to keep current are all extremely blessed
This week I had to work in Botswana and flew there with my Jabiru. I took my 19 year old assistant that started work with us about 3 months ago with to go help. Never been in a plane, in fact, he has never even seen one up close. He grew up in the "platteland" with divorced parents and typically is the X-Box generation. No real life experiences. Just video games and parties.
As we took of from Wonderboom he was quiet most of the flight. Just checking out everything and asking the odd question here and there. Smooth flight to Jwaneng but landed there in bumpy cross-wind conditions. When we landed I heard him exhale loudly and realized he was holding his breath almost the whole time of final approach
Once on the ground he smiled and said that that was fun. Flying back however, was more relaxed and I took a different route. Flew Jwaneng, landed at Gaborone International (here he swa the big boys land and take off) and then off to Pilanesburg and back to Wonderboom. This time he was very relaxed and every time I looked over I saw this big grin while he stared out the window.
Driving back from Wonderboom, we sat in the car and suddenly I heard him laughing. Thinking that he saw something funny on the road I asked what it was. He reply "That was the most awesome experience of my life"
Just reminded me of how lucky we are to be aviators. Enjoy every moment you fly, stare at your plane, tinker with it or just washing it. Fly safe and enjoy every moment as if it was your first time ever
